MEMS Sensor System with Configurable Signal Module

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting movement has a signal module for processing a movement signal produced by an inertial sensor, and a configuration module operatively coupled with the signal module. The configuration module configures the signal module to process the movement signal in accord with at least one specified parameter.

1 . An apparatus for detecting movement, the apparatus comprising: 
 a signal module for processing a movement signal produced by an inertial sensor; and    a configuration module operatively coupled with the signal module, the configuration module configuring the signal module to process the movement signal in accord with at least one specified parameter.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  wherein the signal module comprises a plurality of serially coupled processing modules for processing the movement signal, the specified parameter including a parameter for at least one of the plurality of processing modules.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 2  wherein the plurality of processing modules includes at least one of a filter and an analog to digital converter.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 3  wherein the at least one specified parameter includes at least one of the number of poles in the filter, the bandwidth of the filter, and the number of bits for output signals from the analog to digital converter.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 2  wherein the plurality of processing modules includes a self-test module for actuating the inertial sensor, the at least one specified parameter including a self-test unit parameter that controls operation of the self-test unit.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising an interface for receiving the at least one specified parameter from an external device, the configuration module having an input for receiving the at least one specified parameter from the interface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  wherein the at least one specified parameter includes a sensor range parameter, the sensor range parameter controlling the range of forces from the inertial sensor to be processed by the signal module.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising memory operatively coupled with the configuration module, the configuration module having logic for storing the at least one specified parameter in the memory.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising the inertial sensor on a first die, the configuration module and the signal module being on a second die, the first die being separate from the second die.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising the inertial sensor on a given die, the configuration module and the signal module also being on the given die.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising the inertial sensor.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  further comprising a package having an interior, the configuration module and signal module being contained within the interior of the package.  
   
   
       13 . A method of configuring a sensor system, the method comprising: 
 providing a signal module for processing a movement signal received from an inertial sensor;    providing a configuration module;    determining at least one specified parameter for controlling the signal module in its processing of the movement signal;    forwarding the at least one specified parameter to the configuration module, the configuration module storing the at least one specified parameter in memory for use by the signal module.    
   
   
       14 . The method as defined by  claim 13  wherein the signal module comprises a plurality of serially coupled processing modules for processing the movement signal, the specified parameter including a parameter for at least one of the plurality of processing modules.  
   
   
       15 . A motion detector comprising: 
 an inertial sensor for sensing movement, the inertial sensor producing a movement signal that is a function of movement;    a signal module for processing the movement signal; and    means for configuring the signal module to process the movement signal in accord with at least one specified parameter.    
   
   
       16 . The motion detector as defined by  claim 15  wherein the signal module comprises a plurality of serially coupled processing modules for processing the movement signal, the specified parameter including a parameter for at least one of the plurality of processing modules.  
   
   
       17 . The motion detector as defined by  claim 16  wherein the plurality of processing modules includes at least one of a means for filtering the movement signal and means for converting an analog signal to a digital signal.  
   
   
       18 . The motion detector as defined by  claim 17  wherein the at least one specified parameter includes at least one of the number of poles in the filtering means, the bandwidth of the filtering means, and the number of bits for output signals from the converting means.  
   
   
       19 . The motion detector as defined by  claim 15  wherein the inertial sensor is on a first die, the signal module and configuration means being on a second die, the first die being separate from the second die.  
   
   
       20 . The motion detector as defined by  claim 15  wherein the inertial sensor, signal module, and configuration means are within a single package.